Blog - Spencer Education

Apr 16 2026

Contextual Thinking is Becoming Vital in the Age of AI

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

Authentic learning has always required a connection to a real context. However, in a generative age, where AI cannot "read the room," contextual thinking has become more important than ever. In this article and podcast episode, I explore the implications of this and share six…

Apr 08 2026

Man with a thought bubble above him and a flow chart behind him

How to Be Proactive About Classroom Management in PBL

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 4 Comments

I've had the honor of leading PBL workshops around the world (but mostly in the US and Canada) for over a decade. And one of the biggest concerns teachers have is how they will manage the chaos of PBL. They know intuitively that if done…

Apr 02 2026

How to Design AI-Resistant Writing Before, During, and After the Writing Process

By John Spencer Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, Podcast No Comments

AI has made writing faster and easier than ever before. But it has also nudged writing toward something more generic and predictable. We’re starting to see polished work that looks right on the surface but lacks depth, voice, and real thinking. So the question isn’t…

Mar 25 2026

The Five Biggest Pitfalls of Collaborative Grouping (And How to Avoid Them)

By John Spencer Creative Collaboration, Creativity, Podcast 7 Comments

We’ve all been there before. You’re working with a few other people and everything just seems to click. It might be on a ball field or court. Or it might be in a jam session or a rehearsal for live theater. If you’re lucky, it…

Mar 18 2026

The Problem with “They Didn’t Teach Us That in School”

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast One Comment

I often see memes on social media complaining about various skills that people didn't learn in schools. Sometimes, it's accompanied with "Here are the things we should be learning instead." But I want to reflect on that statement through the bigger question of the future…

Mar 11 2026

Boy thinking with a thought bubble and a question mark

How to Use Strategic Confusion for Deeper Learning

By John Spencer Creativity 13 Comments

For the last few weeks, I have been working on redesigning my social studies pedagogy courses to be fully asynchronous. I've been creating videos, designing resources, and putting together a weekly reader for them. But it's more than just making content. My goal is to build…

Feb 17 2026

The Power of Silent Discussions for Deeper Collaboration

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

There’s a strange tension in most classrooms. We say we value discussion. We say we want depth. But often the loudest voice wins and the fastest thinker sets the pace. The result can feel energetic and engaging on the surface while quieter students fade into…

Feb 02 2026

The Five Biggest Fears that Kept Me from Empowering Students

By John Spencer Empowering Students, Podcast, Student Choice 4 Comments

Student engagement is harder than it used to be, but the answer is not more control or better entertainment. It is helping students move from compliance to true ownership, where they have voice, choice, and responsibility for their learning. This post explores what happens when…

Jan 27 2026

Susan M. Riley on the Power of Creativity in the Age of AI

By John Spencer Podcast No Comments

In my latest episode, I talk to Susan M. Riley about what creativity looks like in a generative age. She talks about how it's changing, why it's important, and what creative thinking looks like in a K-12 classroom. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy…

Jan 21 2026

The Push and the Pull Needed to Help Students Focus

By John Spencer Creativity, Depth Advantage, Podcast No Comments

Focus is no longer our default. It's not something that tends to happen by accident anymore. In a culture built on notifications, infinite scroll, and instant answers, students need both a pull toward deeper thinking and a push away from the distractions that steal their…